Richard Åkerman
Richard Åkerman
Richard Åkerman’s practice focuses on corporate and private equity transactions. He frequently provides advice regarding corporate law, governance and transactional matters to corporations and financial sponsors. Richard has also advised many industrial and technology companies in restructuring and insolvency situations. Richard Åkerman is the chairman of Hannes Snellman’s board of directors.
Richard Åkerman is an outstanding commercial lawyer. He is knowledgeable and always finds constructive solutions.
Legal 500 2024 | Commercial, Corporate and M&A
References
Counsel to Charles River Laboratories in the acquisition of Scanbur A/S’ research model distribution business.
Parties: Charles River Laboratories, Inc. and Scanbur AB / Scanbur AS
Transaction: Counsel to Charles River Laboratories it its acquisition of Scanbur’s RMS business
Deal value: Value not public
Role: Counsel to Charles River Laboratories
Parties:
Blåsjön Kraft AB, Blåsjön Nät AB, Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust (DORE) [LON:DORE],
Transaction:
Hannes Snellman acted as counsel to Blåsjön Kraft AB in the sale of Blåsjön Nät AB, a Swedish electricity distribution system operator, for approximately GBP 7 million to Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust (DORE) [LON:DORE], a closed-end investment trust with a portfolio of renewable energy and infrastructure assets in the UK and Northern Europe.
Deal value:
GBP 7 million
Role:
Counsel to Blåsjön Kraft AB
Parties:
GfK SE, YouGov PLC
Transaction:
Hannes Snellman acted, together with Jones Day, as counsel to GfK SE in the EUR 315 million sale of its European Consumer Panel business (GfK CP) to YouGov PLC.
Deal value:
EUR 315 million
Role:
Counsel to GfK SE
Parties:
DYNAmore and Ansys, Inc.
Transaction:
Swedish counsel to Ansys in its acquisition of Automotive Simulation Channel Partner DYNAmore
Deal:
Value not public
Role:
Swedish counsel to Ansys, Inc.
Parties:
MediaMarkt Sweden, Media-Saturn-Holding GmbH, Power International AS
Transaction:
Northern European electronics retailer Power acquired 100 per cent of the shares in MediaMarkt Sweden.
Deal value:
Value not public
Role:
Counsel to Power Sweden International AS
Parties
Nordic Metal Holdings (Buyer), Alumeco Group (Target)
Transaction
Hannes Snellman advised Nordic Metal Holdings in its acquisition of Alumeco Group, a metal wholesaler primarily within aluminum.
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Nordic Metal Holdings
Parties:
Transdev Sverige AB (Seller), RP Charter AB (Target), Västanhede Holding AB (Buyer)
Transaction
Counsel to Transdev Sverige AB in the divestment of RP Charter AB to Västanhede Holding AB
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Transdev Sverige AB
Parties
Sylvamo Corporation (Buyer), Stora Enso (Seller), Nymölla paper AB (Target)
Transaction
Acted as counsel to Sylvamo Corporation, a global paper company with mills in Europe, Latin America, and North America, in the acquisition of Stora Enso Nymölla Paper AB, which is operating an uncoated freesheet paper mill in Nymölla, Sweden.
Deal value
Approximately EUR 150 million
Role
Counsel to Sylvamo Corporation
Parties:
Xindao, Vinga Sweden
Transaction:
Counsel to Xindao in Its Acquisition of Vinga Sweden
Deal Value:
Not public
Role:
Counsel to Xindao
Parties
Gores Guggenheim, Inc., The Gores Group and Guggenheim Capital, LLC, and Polestar.
Transaction
Gores Guggenheim, Inc. in its closing of business combination with Polestar
Deal value
The transaction implies an equity value of approximately USD 20 billion for Polestar.
Role
Legal advisor to Gores Guggenheim, Inc. together with Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
Parties
Fazer Group and Trensums Food
Transaction
Counsel to Fazer Group in its acquisition of Trensums Food
Deal Value
Not public
Role
Counsel to Fazer Group
Parties
Charles River
Transaction
Counsel to Charles River in Its Sale of Cobra Matfors to Flerie Invest
Deal Value
USD 52,000,000
Role
Counsel to Charles River
Parties
Gores Guggenheim, Inc., Polestar
Transaction
Counsel to Gores Guggenheim, Inc., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) formed by the affiliates of The Gores Group and Guggenheim Capital, LLC, in its proposed business combination with the global electric performance car company Polestar.
Deal Value
Role
Counsel to Gores Guggenheim, Inc.
Parties
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., Cognate BioServices, Inc. Cobra Biologics
Transaction
Swedish counsel to Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. in the acquisition of Cognate BioServices, Inc,. including its Swedish and British subsidiaries Cobra Biologics.
Deal value
The purchase price amounted approximately USD 875 million.
Role
Counsel to Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
Parties
Altra Industrial Motion, MTEK Industry AB
Transactions
Altra Industrial Motion in the forming of a strategic partnership with MTEK Industry AB.
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Altra Industrial Motion
Parties
SGS, SYNLAB’s Analytics & Services division
Transaction
SGS to buy SYNLAB's Analytics & Services division
Deal value
EUR 550 million
Role
Swedish and Finnish Counsel to SGS
Parties
Transdev Group, Flygbussarna Airport Coaches
Transaction
Transdev Group in its divestment of Flygbussarna Airport Coaches to Vy
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Transdev Group
Parties
AAC Capital Partners, Intermediate Capital Group PLC and other shareholders (Sellers), Viking Redningstjeneste Topco AS (Target)
Transaction
P&C Insurance Ltd (publ) in its Acquisition of Viking Redningstjeneste Topco AS
Deal Value
EUR 32 million
Role
Swedish and Finnish counsel to Sweden-based insurance company If P&C Insurance Ltd (publ)
Parties
Fazer Food Services, Compass Group PLC
Transaction
Fazer Group in its divestment of Fazer Food Services to Compass Group PLC
Deal Value
EUR 475 million
Role
Counsel to Fazer Group
Parties
Ramirent Plc (buyer), Stavdal AB
Transaction
Ramirent in its acquisition of Stavdal AB to become the leading company in Swedish equipment rental market
Deal Value
EUR 158 million
Role
Counsel to Ramirent Plc
Parties
Direct Conversion AB (Target), Varex Imaging Corporation (Bidder)
Transaction
Counsel to the sellers of Direct Conversion in a 90% stake acquisition by Varex Imaging.
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to sellers of Direct Conversion
Parties
Kildare Partners, Technopolis Plc
Transaction
Kildare Partners’ public tender offer for Technopolis Plc, a Finland-based listed company providing offices, coworking spaces and related services
Deal Value
EUR 729.7 million
Role
Counsel to Kildare Partners
Parties
AtoB@C Shipping AB (Target), Aspo Plc (Bidder) Anders Nilsson (Private Investor)(Seller)
Transaction
Aspo Plc has agreed to acquire AtoB@C Shipping AB from Anders Nilsson (Private investor).
Deal Value
EUR 30 million
Role
Counsel to Aspo Plc
Parties
Asiakastieto Group Plc (Buyer), UC AB (Target), Six Swedish banks (Sellers)
Transaction
Asiakastieto Group Plc’s pending acquisition of UC AB, a credit information company
Deal Value
Appr. EUR 340 million
Role
Counsel to Asiakastieto Group Plc
Parties
Fazer Group (Buyer), Froosh (Target), Unilever Ventures and minority owners (Seller)
Transaction
Fazer Group's acquisition of Froosh
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Fazer Group
Parties
Wärtsilä Corporation (Buyer), Puregas Solutions AB (Target)
Transaction
Wärtsilä Corporation’s agreement to acquire Puregas Solutions AB
Deal Value
EUR 29 million
Role
Counsel to Wärtsilä Corporation
Parties
Dual Co Ltd (Buyer), Herenco AB, Pomona-Gruppen AB, Larsson Industrier i Smalandsstenar AB (Sellers), Borgstena Group Sweden (Target)
Transaction
DUAL Co., Ltd. will acquire 95% stake in Borgstena Group Sweden, from Herenco AB, Pomona-Gruppen AB, and Larsson Industrier i Smalandsstenar AB.
Deal Value
USD 56.2 million
Role
Counsel to DUAL Co., Ltd.
Parties
Intrum Justitia AB (Buyer) Lindorff (Target)
Transaction
Counsel to Intrum Justitia in Connection with the Combination with Lindorff
Deal Value
SEK 40 billion
Role
Counsel to Intrum Justitia AB
Parties
Valedo Partners Fund I (Seller), Akademikliniken (Target), Polaris Private Equity (Buyer)
Transaction
Valedo Partners Fund I has agreed to divest its majority holding in Akademikliniken to Polaris Private Equity
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Valedo
Parties
Oy Karl Fazer AB (Buyer), Frebaco Kvarn AB (Target)
Transaction
Oy Karl Fazer AB has acquired Frebaco Kvarn AB
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Oy Karl Fazer AB
Parties
Oak & Oak AB, managers and directors (Sellers), Ekelöw InfoSecurity AB (Target), PwC Sweden (Buyer)
Transaction
The sale of Ekelöw InfoSecurity AB to PwC Sweden
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Oak & Oak AB, managers and directors
Parties
Discovery Networks Sweden and Modern Times Group (MTG) Sweden
Transaction
Discovery Networks Sweden and Modern Times Group (MTG) Sweden have established a joint venture to combine their regional advertising sales businesses for their respective flagship television channels in Sweden, Kanal 5 and TV3. The new 50:50 JV company is named Airtime Sales
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Discovery Networks Sweden
Parties
Sensys Traffic (Buyer), Gatso Beheer B.V. (Target)
Transaction
Sensys Traffic has entered into an agreement to acquire the Dutch company Gatso Beheer B.V
Deal Value
Approximately MSEK 278.
Role
Counsel to Sensys Traffic
Parties
TeliaSonera, Spotify
Transaction
TeliaSonera is investing USD 115 million for a 1.4 percent stake in Spotify
Deal Value
USD 115 million
Role
Counsel to TeliaSonera
Parties
Nefab AB (Target), Wallenberg Foundations FAM (Bidder), Nordgren/Pihl family (Seller)
Transaction
FAM's investment in Nefab
Deal Value
SEK 1.1 billion targeted share issue
Role
Counsel to the Nordgren/Pihl family
Parties
NEP Group Inc.(Buyer), Mediatec Group (Target)
Transaction
NEP Group Inc.'s acquisition of Mediatec Group from its current owners
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to NEP Group Inc.
Parties
Novax (Buyer), Academic Work (Target), Latour (Seller)
Transaction
Novax' acquisition of Latour’s entire shareholding in Academic Work
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Novax
Rankings
- Ranked in Chambers and Partners Europe 2024
- Ranked in Chambers and Partners Global 2024
- “Richard Åkerman is known for advising domestic and international companies on acquisitions and strategic partnership agreements within the insurance and technology sectors.”, Corporate/ M&A, Chambers Global and Europe, 2023
- Ranked as Highly regarded lawyer, Private Equity, IFLR1000, 2022
- "Good network and experience in several areas, and he is also easy to work with." Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global, 2022
- Ranked among the 2021 Top DeSPAC Lawyers in EMEA, 2021 Top M&A Lawyers in Nordics, 2021 Top M&A Lawyers in EMEA, and 2021 Top Private Equity Lawyers in EMEA by MergerLinks, 2021
- 'One client says: "Richard Åkerman builds his advice and communication on trust. He is very solid in all aspects of M&A and it is always a pleasure to work with him.", Commercial, Corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2021
- 'Described as "knowledgeable, pragmatic and results-oriented"', Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, 2021
- "Assists a broad range of clientele with public and private M&A." Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, 2020
- Ranked as Highly regarded lawyer, Private Equity, IFLR1000, 2020
- Recommended in Corporate/M&A, Legal 500, 2019
- Ranked as Highly regarded lawyer, Private Equity, IFLR1000, 2019
- "A respected lawyer in the market, Richard Åkerman advises clients on a broad range of M&A mandates and has recent experience assisting clients from the food and pharmaceutical industries.", Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, 2018
- Ranked as Highly regarded lawyer, Corporate/M&A, Private Equity, IFLR1000, 2018
- "Truly professional.", Commercial, Corporate/M&A, Legal 500, 2017
- 'One client says: "He is not only a very experienced M&A lawyer, but he is very business-oriented and understands which matters to focus on", also appreciating that he is "very pleasant to work with and has great social skills.", Corporate/M&A, Chambers Europe, 2017
- Ranked as Leading lawyer, Private Equity, IFLR1000, 2017
- "Richard Åkerman heads the firm's private M&A practice. He is recommended for his transactional experience, particularly in the information and communications technology sectors.", Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2016 and Chambers Europe 2016
- 'Richard Åkerman is "to the point in his advice and focused on the deal fundamentals."', Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, 2015
Memberships and Positions of Trust
- Member of the Swedish Bar Association
Education and Professional Background
- Partner, Hannes Snellman, Stockholm, 2008
- Managing Partner, Hannes Snellman, Stockholm, 2012-2015
- Managing Partner, Setterwalls, 2002 – 2004
- Partner, Setterwalls, 2000 – 2008
- Associate Lawyer, Advokatfirman Hammarskiöld & Co., 1998 – 2000
- Associate Lawyer, Lagerlöf & Leman Advokatbyrå, 1995 – 1998
- LL.M., Columbia University School of Law, New York, 1994
- Service with Swedish Courts, 1991 – 1993
- Jur. kand. (LL.M.), Stockholm University, 1991